VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES FEBRUARY 19
09:30 Railway linking HCMC, Dong Nai to open
to traffic before 2030
The Ministry of Transport has thrown
its weight behind Dong Nai’s proposal to develop the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh
light railway project linking HCMC and Dong Nai Province and put it into
operation prior to 2030. The Thu Thiem-Long Thanh light railway
project is considered one of the key projects to enhance connectivity with
the Long Thanh international airport, which is under construction, said the
ministry. The capital has been allocated so that
preparation for the project can start this year, according to the ministry. The project is part of the national
railway system development plan in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050
approved by the prime minister. The 38-kilometer rail link has been
added to a list of national projects to call for foreign investment in the
2021-2025 period, according to the prime minister’s decision issued on
November 1, 2021. The Dong Nai government had earlier
proposed the prime minister consider entrusting the province as an authorized
agency to implement the light rail project, the local media reported. Despite throwing its support behind
the proposal, the ministry asked the province to reach a consensus on the
investment with the HCMC government to report it to the prime minister as the
rail link will run through HCMC. Vietnam selected to play host
to Miss Earth 2023 Truong Ngoc Anh, chairman of the board
of Nova Entertainment, has announced that her company is set to host Miss
Earth 2023. This will be an excellent chance for
Vietnam to popularise the country’s land, people, and tourism, said Ngoc Anh
at a press briefing on February 17. She said her company will also
thoroughly prepare facilities in order to welcome more than 100 beauties from
all over the world who will participate in the beauty pageant. Ngoc Anh also revealed that her company
is holding the copyright to Miss Ethnic Vietnam, which is scheduled to take
place in March. The competition aims to honour the
beauty of Vietnamese women and the cultural identity of various ethnic
groups, as well as strengthening solidarity among them. Most notably, the winner of Miss
Ethnic Vietnam will earn the chance to compete at Miss Earth 2023. Miss Earth was originally launched by
the Philippines Carousel Production Company in 2001 to promote
environmentally-friendly activities. Previously, Vietnam played host to
Miss Earth 2010. GM Liem takes on Carlsen at
Airthings Masters 2022 GM Le Quang Liem is scheduled to play
world No1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway on February 19 at the Airthings Masters
2022 as part of the Champions Chess Tour 2022. Besides Carlsen, Liem will also take
on other leading players, including world No. 3 Ding Liren (China), world
No.5 Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia), world No. 6 Levon Aronian (USA), world No.7
Anish Giri (Netherlands), and world No.9 Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan). The tournament which is taking place
online from February 19 – 26 has attracted 16 players who are playing in a
round-robin format to select eight to the quarterfinals. The Airthings Masters 2022 is part of
the Champions Chess Tour, which has total prize money of US$1.6 million, the
most attractive in international chess tournaments. The tournament’s winner will receive
US$25,000, while the runner-up will be given US$15,000. Living and working in the US, Quang
Liem is now coaching the chess team at the Webster University. This year, in addition to
international tournaments, he will represent Vietnam to compete at the 31st
Southeast Asian games (SEA Games 31) to be held in Hanoi in May, and the 19th
Asian games (ASIAD) to be held in China in September. Vietnam in same group with
Thailand, Malaysia, RoK at AFC U23 Asian Cup final round Vietnam have been drawn in Group C at
the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Championship final round
following the draw results in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on February 17 (Hanoi time). According to the Vietnam Football
Federation, Vietnam will be in the same group with other two Southeast Asian
teams of Thailand and Malaysia, along with the Republic of Korea, the 2020
champion. The final round of the AFC U23 Asian
Championship 2022 will see the competition of 16 teams which are divided into
four groups. Eight teams that are group winners and runners-up will advance
to the quarterfinals. In the qualifying round, the U23
Vietnam team won all two matches to win a ticket to the final round. This is
also the fourth time in a row that the U23 Vietnam team have entered the
final round. The team played the final game of the championship in 2018. The final round of the AFC U23 Asian
Championship 2022 will take place in Uzbekistan from June 1-19. Seminar seeks opinions on
draft decree on Internet-based services A seminar was organised on February 17
to gather experts’ opinions on a draft decree on amendments and supplements
to Decree No. 72/2013/ND-CP (Decree 72) on the management, provision and use
of Internet-based services and information on the Internet, which aim to
create more relevant regulatory frameworks for the growth of the Internet and
digital economy in Vietnam. The seminar was held by the Vietnam
Digital Communications Association (VDCA) in collaboration with the Institute
for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS) and the Asia Internet
Coalition (AIC). VDCA Chairman Nguyen Minh Hong said
the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed people’s life, particularly
the way they interact with the world. Today, meetings, entertainment
activities, video games and transactions of goods are all non-fungible tokens
(NFTs) made trans-nationally, he said, emphasising that digital technology
plays a critical part in recovering, sustaining and boosting economic growth
in the post-pandemic period. As Vietnam is expecting the digital
economy to account for 20 percent of its GDP by 2025, the government has not
only been accelerating the development of digital infrastructure but also
improving related policies, particularly those related to Internet-based
services, for example, cross-border information provision services, cloud
computing, data storage, online games, and social networks, Hong noted,
adding that these are shown in the draft decree. Attendees at the seminar made
recommendations related to cyber-information security, settlement of disputes
on copyright, fake news, domain names, licensing social networks, online
games, among others. Joint UN project promotes
disability inclusion The United Nations has recently
launched a joint project, themed “Working together for an inclusive future.
Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
through effective collaboration.” Launched just before the World Day of
Social Justice (February 20), the joint project brings together the expertise
and experience of three agencies - UNICEF, UNFPA and UNDP - in supporting
national and provincial authorities and organisations of persons with
disabilities (OPDs) to support multi-sectoral interventions in support of the
fulfillment of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD) in Vietnam. It is funded by the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia and the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Norway, who are longstanding donors of the UN Partnership on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Multi-Partner Trust Fund. The project aims to serve as a vehicle
for multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnership to ensure results and impact
towards a CRPD compliance environment in Vietnam, which is fundamental to
ensure the materialisation of the principles of leaving no one behind and
building back better a more inclusive society for all. VinFuture Prize second season
calls for nominations The second season of the VinFuture
Prize has been launched with a focus on honouring outstanding scientific
innovations that can help reimagine post-pandemic life and stimulate
sustainable development. Prof. Sir Richard Henry Friend, Chair
of the VinFuture Prize Council, said: “Last year’s prize awards celebrate
very clearly how science and innovation can bring real global benefits for
health. However, humankind faces big challenges in many other areas,
including natural resource consumption, the move to zero carbon to avoid
damaging climate change, and others. “This year, we want to reach as widely
as we can, across disciplines and across continents, to broaden the scope and
impact of the VinFuture Prizes in reviving the post-pandemic world.” The VinFuture Foundation entrusted the
Prize, one of the world’s largest annual awards in science and technology,
with contributing to the betterment of life for millions of people globally
by facilitating breakthrough scientific research, technological innovations,
inventions that help change people’s lives, as well as exceptional scientific
solutions in diverse fields, across various geographical areas, and from
scientists regardless of age, gender, or nationality. The second season is open to
nominations until May 17 this year. Five members of U23 Vietnam
show suspected positive COVID-19 results Five members of the U23 Vietnam team
had suspected COVID-19 tests prior to its first match at the ongoing 2022
ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Youth Championship, according to the Vietnam
Football Federation (VFF). After a training on February 17, some
members of the team showed signs of fever. All members then were undergone
rapid COVID-19 testing. As a result, four players and a coach had suspected
positive tests for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. They were quarantined immediately. Vietnam will play against Singapore on
February 19 at the Prince Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Benefits of attending school
outweigh COVID-19 risks: WHO Representative “The social and developmental benefits
of attending school outweigh the risks associated with COVID-19 for
children,” Dr Kidong Park, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in
Vietnam, has stressed. The COVID-19 crisis has forced school
closures for months, disrupting the learning process of millions of
Vietnamese students. “Prolonged school closures contribute
to adverse social, educational, health, and economic impacts for children and
society,” Park told the Vietnam News Agency. He particularly pointed out that
one of the most vulnerable are disadvantaged children who are inequitably
affected because of the challenges in accessing remote learning. “While some transmissions have
occurred in schools, schools do not pose a higher risk of COVID-19
transmission than other settings such as workplaces, restaurants, and
shopping malls,” he said. WHO acknowledges that the Government
of Vietnam has been assessing the reopening of schools, with careful
consideration of the country’s outbreak situation, latest available evidence
based on experiences of other countries and the concerns of some of the
parents on children’s safety, the official said. “We could not eliminate the risk of
COVID-19 transmission in schools, but we can reduce such risk through
appropriate infection prevention and control measures,” he noted. The WHO representative underscored
that vaccination of children should not be considered as a pre-requisite
condition for school opening. A safe learning environment can be created for
children through the consistent implementation of 5K measures at school as
well as in the community. Quang Tri: 108 explosives
safely detonated The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) said on
February 18 that its team has safely moved and detonated 108 dangerous
explosives found in a Melaleuca forest in the central province of Quang Tri’s
Hai Son commune. There were 103 37mm artillery shells
and five 40mm grenades discovered by the team at a depth of about 30cm below
the ground in a location that is some 200m away from the residential area. Determining that these explosives are
eligible to move, they brought them to a gathering ground for detonation. According to the Quang Tri Mine Action
Centre, in 2021, governmental and non-governmental organisations with mine
remediation activities cleared over 37 million sq.m of land by demining
27,660 bombs, mines, explosives of all kinds. Da Nang to welcome first
international flight on March 27 The central coastal city of Da Nang is
set to welcome foreign tourists on its first international flight on March 27
after nearly two years of closure due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This information was released on
February 17 during a meeting held between leaders of Da Nang City People's
Committee and representatives of numerous local airlines. According to a representative of
Singapore Airlines, the carrier is scheduled to bring in the first
international delegation to Da Nang on March 27. Representatives of various airlines
have expressed their desire to see the central coastal city reopen all
entertainment services at tourism sites, properly handle F0 cases if
infections are reported, and lift other restrictions currently in place. They also noted that slow reopening
will cause the central city to lose its competitive advantages as an
attractive destination, and at the same time hinder the capital flow from
foreign investors. A representative of the Da Nang
Department of Health revealed that the city would no longer implement a
quarantine period for foreign tourists, adding that the unit would also
provide timely support and treatment for those who are unfortunately exposed
to the virus. Bamboo Airways launches Rach
Gia-Phu Quoc route Bamboo Airways launched a direct air
route on February 17 between Rach Gia in the southern province of Kien Giang
to Phu Quoc Island, with the route featuring three flights per week. Moving forward, the new direct air
service is anticipated to contribute to reducing the travel time from Rach
Gia to Phu Quoc to just 20 minutes, as opposed to the previous time of 2.5
hours via high-speed boat. The latest route will make use of the
Embraer aircraft, creating favourable conditions in which passengers can
travel faster. It will also mark one of the shortest
domestic routes, which is approximately 120 km long. Previously, the route had been
operated by Vasco on ATR-72 aircraft, with a flight time of roughly 40
minutes. However, Vasco was forced to halt operating the route back in 2016
due to a lack of economic efficiency. Another RoK expert likely to
coach Vietnamese U23 side A Republic of Korean coach is likely
to be selected to succeed incumbent Park Hang-seo to lead the Vietnam
national U23 side at the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup, according to a source from
the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). The source did not disclose the name
of the new coach, but said the VFF is entering the final round of
negotiations with the RoK manager who was introduced by Park. The VFF is expected to make public the
new coach’s profile next week, said the source. The VFF and Park have agreed that the
incumbent coach will no longer lead the national U23 side after the 31st
Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in May 2022. Park and his students have set
a target of defending their championship title in their home turf in May. The veteran coach said he wants to
focus on the senior national team, instead of splitting his time between both
U23 and senior national teams as he has done over the past four years. The VFF was said to early this year
contact Kim Gil-sik, 44, who coached Ansan Greeners FC in the K-League 2 in
2021 and the RoK’s national U15 team for the hot seat, but Kim later declined
the invitation. Park’s successor will lead the
Vietnamese team to compete in the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup which is set to take
place from June 1 to 19 in Uzbekistan. Vietnam have been placed in Group C
alongside Thailand, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Malaysia. Workers offered rental
support to return to labour market The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids
and Social Affairs (MOLISA) is proposing a rental assistance package for
workers' accommodation. The package is worth VNĐ6.6 trillion
(US$20.9 million) and is planned to quickly restabilise the labour market,
which has been adversely affected by the pandemic, especially during the long
lockdowns of 2021. The proposal will be completed this
month. The plan was made based on the Prime
Minister’s official letter on the programme of socio-economic recovery,
development and enhancement of public investment capital disbursement. The package will offer housing rental
support for labourers who are renting and/or working in industrial parks,
export processing zones and key economic areas. MOLISA Minister Đào Ngọc Dung said
that the proposal would be submitted to the Government and approved by the
National Assembly for disbursal. HCM City deploys young
doctors for grassroots healthcare Almost 300 new graduates from the Phạm
Ngọc Thạch Medical University in HCM City have been sent to work at commune
and ward medical stations across the city to improve the quality of
grassroots healthcare. Commune and ward medical stations
played a key role in providing COVID-19 patients with convenient and timely
home based medical care, he pointed out.This was the first time fresh
graduates from medical universities were deployed to commune and ward health
stations. After a year they would practise at
hospitals for six months, he said. During their 12 months at medical
stations they would totally be paid around VNĐ60 million (US$2,600), he said. Young writer releases
bilingual book She may only be 11-years-old, but
Nguyễn Hạnh Phương, who writes under the name Rosy Black, has a great
literary future ahead of her. Kim Đồng Publishing House has
published the first volume of a bilingual book for children called Biệt Đội
Ngôi Sao: Cuộc Tìm Kiếm Sức Mạnh Vĩ Đại (Star Team: A Quest For The Greatest
Power). Four more of her books, Back to The
Past; To The Future; Up to Heaven and Down to Hell, will be released in the
future. It is a story of four English
adventurous children aged 12. They are classmates and each of them has a gift
such as reading old language, navigating, wizardry and robotics. They discover a box with the letters
The Box of Greatest Power in a house but a character called Death steals it
from them. The story tells of their quest to get the box back. Phương writes in English first and
then translates into Vietnamese. She was taught English at the age three by
her mother -- an English teacher. At the age of four, she could read both
Vietnamese and English. She has read so far over 1,000 books mainly in
English. Trans-Vietnam Book Fair to
kick off Six book publishers, including Tre
(Young) Publishing House, Thai Ha Books, Nha Nam, Minh Long, Dinh Ti and
Saigon Books, will collaborate to organise a Trans-Vietnamese Book Fair. The book fair will take place from
February 22 to 27 (8:00 AM to 9:00 PM), at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street,
providing an opportunity for book lovers with great discounts at the same
time, from all six book publishers. This is also an event to introduce a
series of latest works, good and valuable titles to the public. Specifically, all books at the book
fair will be discounted by 25%, or up to 35% during the golden hour from
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, every day of the event. In addition, there are tens of
thousands of books and stories with prices from 5 to 30,000 VND per book. The six participating units of this
year's Trans-Vietnam Book Fair, will also introduce readers to good
publications and books, suitable for all ages, with a plethora of incentive
programmes, gratitude to readers through promotions, as well as thousands of
attractive gifts, such as keychains, bookmarks, and exclusive notebooks for
readers who shop at the book fair. Deputy PM urges completion of
361 kilometres of expressway in 2022 Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has
called for stronger efforts to complete the 361 kilometres of the north-south
expressway by the end of 2022. He told a meeting on February 18 that
the sections that must be put into operation in 2022 include Mai Son (Ninh
Binh) - National Highway 45 (Thanh Hoa), Cam Lo (Quang Tri) - La Son (Thua
Thien Hue) and Vinh Hao (Binh Thuan) - Dau Giay (Dong Nai). Thanh also asked for the completion of
another 149 kilometres in 2023, including the National Highway 45 - Nghi Son,
Nghi Son - Dien Chau, Nha Trang - Cam Lam sections and My Thuan 2 Bridge. The construction of these sections
faces a shortage of building materials necessary for laying road foundations. Source:
VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/SGGP/VNN/Hanoitimes |
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